It's how experts or supposed to be experts will tell you anything to secure a sale smhIncreasing numbers works to a degree w African Cichlids, particularly from Lake Malawi, but not CA fish.
The “experts” advising you clearly don’t know what they are talking about. Adding more fish is not the answer to dealing w aggression in Central American cichlids tanks.
These fish do not become less territorial in greater numbers. Asduanes has mentioned many times on this forum, a lot of CA cichlids have huge solo territories.
How big is your tank anyway? Depending on tank size, you need to reduce your number of Texas to either a pair, or 1 male wet pet.
Texas Cichlid Turned Completely BLACK!!
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I consider a 6ft tank, 100+ gallons or more, to bo only large enough for a single mated pair of Herichthys (whatever species).
I collect cichlids in nature, and as said, the territories that these new world cichlids exist in, are very large.
In a stretch of river, such as the one below, I might only collect 6 or 8 new world cichlid, and this is in millions of gallons.
The way African cichlids live in the rift lakes, is totally different than the way space in allocated in Central America.
At times in nature non territorial species like tetras, out number cichlids by 50 or more to 1, and this if the norm
But at maturity, cramming cichlids into a puddle size tank (the way many inexperienced aquarists do), is a problem just waiting to happen.
The video above, is the way space is naturally allocated.
I collect cichlids in nature, and as said, the territories that these new world cichlids exist in, are very large.
In a stretch of river, such as the one below, I might only collect 6 or 8 new world cichlid, and this is in millions of gallons.
The way African cichlids live in the rift lakes, is totally different than the way space in allocated in Central America.
At times in nature non territorial species like tetras, out number cichlids by 50 or more to 1, and this if the norm
But at maturity, cramming cichlids into a puddle size tank (the way many inexperienced aquarists do), is a problem just waiting to happen.
What are the dimensions of your tank? LxWxH? Then we can tell you exactly how many gallons it is.
If you have a pair that spawns in there do you have another tank to move the other 4 fish to? Otherwise in becoming a grandad, you will also be attending several funerals and an aquatic ICU
If you have a pair that spawns in there do you have another tank to move the other 4 fish to? Otherwise in becoming a grandad, you will also be attending several funerals and an aquatic ICU
The principle is true for African cichlids but could not be further from the truth w Central American cichlids
Many have evolved to live over sand substrate, like the rivers they come from.If you insist upon placing them over bright white substrate, most will tend to wash out, not showing true colors.
Same happens when they are placed over un-naturally dark substate, they can show un-naturally dark colors, and it sometimes causes dtress, in the same way un-naturally light/bright substrate does.
Some cichlids have evolved to live above leaf litter as substrate., and will feel most comfortable, and show their best colors that way.
Some cichlids have evolved to live over rocky sustrate, with current, and do best that way.
Below is a shot taken underwater in Cenotes where Rocio (Jacl Dempseys) live.
It's easy to see why many come in dark colors when looking at the habitat they come from (above and below)
A video taken in JD habitt below.
This is my tank it's about as long as a home window so I would say it's bigger then 50 gallons right .. I took the fish that was black and placed her in a 5 gallon bucket for quarantine and time to heal with a bubbler ... guys this is my first time raising real river monsters and I can admit I rushed into it without thinking and believed anything these so called experts told me I feel so bad. The sad part is the female that was getting bullied was the original female that was in the tank.befoee these new ones and her mate and the new male were out right bullying her which is weird it was 2 males attacking one female I thought atleast it would be a female on female fight I'm going to fix this and make things right. I had also ordered 4 jaguar cichlids to add to the tank as well I'm no longer adding those to the tank anymore or getting them anymore because I know that would just be more trouble I'm trying guys this is my first real tank I did research but I guess not enough at this point I'm thinking about just getting rid of the other pair and adding a pair of peacock bass or a pair of something else that's cool looking that will also get along with the texas any recommendations
Bro peacock bass get huge. That would be an extremely foolish choice.
The recommendations are to keep 1 Texas pair or 1 male solo in your 55gal tank. Anything else in the CA cichlid family is gonna be suicide.
If you want your tank teaming w fish you need to change your plans altogether. An African cichlid tank and you could house 10-12 male peacock or haps. Or a group of mbuna, like electric yellows. Or else a planted community tank w tetras, gouramis & maybe an angel fish or 2.
The recommendations are to keep 1 Texas pair or 1 male solo in your 55gal tank. Anything else in the CA cichlid family is gonna be suicide.
If you want your tank teaming w fish you need to change your plans altogether. An African cichlid tank and you could house 10-12 male peacock or haps. Or a group of mbuna, like electric yellows. Or else a planted community tank w tetras, gouramis & maybe an angel fish or 2.
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I also advise not to add anymore cichlids. Wait till a pair forms and rehome all the extras.
Peacock bass grow to gigantic sizes we are talking 20 inches plus. They are best suited for tanks 3ft by 8ft or larger.
Not my picture, thank google
If you are looking for more activity in the tank I suggest some dithers. In the wild cichlids live along side other fish like tetras, live barers etc. They use them as an alarm system of sorts. If they are out and about then things are OK but if they are hiding they know trouble is around and hide themselves. Look into swordtails or Molly's. Expect over time some may be lost to predation.
Keeping fish is the ultimate in long game hobbies. True results don't come in days or weeks, it's in years. Soon enough they will get big and you will be rewarded in know you raised them up. In time you will be rewarded with have a big beautiful male like this to watch.
And his wife
Peacock bass grow to gigantic sizes we are talking 20 inches plus. They are best suited for tanks 3ft by 8ft or larger.
Not my picture, thank google
If you are looking for more activity in the tank I suggest some dithers. In the wild cichlids live along side other fish like tetras, live barers etc. They use them as an alarm system of sorts. If they are out and about then things are OK but if they are hiding they know trouble is around and hide themselves. Look into swordtails or Molly's. Expect over time some may be lost to predation.
Keeping fish is the ultimate in long game hobbies. True results don't come in days or weeks, it's in years. Soon enough they will get big and you will be rewarded in know you raised them up. In time you will be rewarded with have a big beautiful male like this to watch.
And his wife
